Manor Lords: How to Defend Against Raiders?

In Manor Lords, players must protect their growing settlements from the constant threat of Raiders and Bandits. These outlaws seek to disrupt society, steal resources, and burn down buildings. To ensure the survival and prosperity of their villages, players need to build strong armies and fortify their defenses. This guide will provide strategies for effectively defending against Raiders and Bandits in Manor Lords.

Defending Against Raiders

Raiders are large, organized groups that directly target settlements to steal resources and destroy buildings. Manor Lords warns players of incoming raids nearly a year in advance, giving them time to prepare. To defend against Raiders, players must raise a powerful army through three main methods:

1. Building a Militia: Create militia units by clicking the "Army" tab and selecting the "+" icon. Choose from Footmen, Spear, Polearm, or Archer units. Ensure there are enough male villagers and crafted weapons to form the militia.
2. Recruiting a Retinue: Construct a Manor to automatically recruit five elite soldiers to the Retinue. Expand the Retinue by adding a Garrison Tower to the Manor, allowing for up to 24 soldiers. Use Treasury funds to purchase more soldiers or upgrade their armor.
3. Hiring Mercenaries: Boost army ranks quickly by hiring Mercenary companies using Treasury gold. Open the Army tab, click the "+" sign, and select "Hire Mercenaries." Pay an upfront cost and monthly fee to recruit them. Station Mercenaries at least ten days before a raid to ensure they reach the battlefield in time.

When Raiders appear, rally forces to intercept them far from the village to minimize damage. Position Mercenaries or the Retinue at the front to absorb the brunt of the attack, while commanding the rest of the army to clean up. Ensure there are enough Wells in the settlement for villagers to collect water and extinguish fires caused by Raiders.

Defending Against Bandits

Unlike Raiders, Bandits do not directly attack settlements. Instead, they set up camps nearby and steal important resources like food, clothing, and building supplies. To stop Bandits, players must destroy their camps, which are marked with a tent symbol on the world map. Follow these steps to defend against Bandits:

1. Assemble a Militia or hire Mercenaries by clicking the "Army" tab and tapping the "+" sign.
2. Click on the Army menu and select "Rally" to lead the Militia or Mercenaries towards the Bandit Camps.
3. Defeat all the Bandits and click on their camp once more to conquer it, acquiring Regional Wealth in the process.

Defending against Raiders and Bandits is crucial for the survival and growth of settlements in Manor Lords. By raising strong armies through Militia, Retinue, and Mercenaries, players can intercept Raiders before they reach the village and minimize damage. Destroying Bandit Camps prevents resource theft and provides additional Regional Wealth. With proper planning and strategic defense, players can ensure their settlements thrive in the face of these persistent threats.